Belize Vacation Packages | Reef & Rainforest Naturalist Tour

Belize Reef & Rainforest Naturalist Tour

Category » Belize Vacation Packages | Reef & Rainforest

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Helping a wildlife researcher tag a caiman at Lamanai

Few places in the world offer such a wide range of ecological and cultural diversity in such a condensed area as the tiny Central American nation of Belize. Known as British Honduras prior to the early 1980s, Belize’s territory encompasses lush rainforest (some 45% of the country is still forested), extensive coastal estuaries and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Hidden in the mountains are massive Mayan ruins - remnants of an ancient civilization whose pyramids are still among the tallest structures in the country today. Wildlife abounds both on land in the jungle and under water on the extensive marine reef system.

Our Reef and Rainforest Naturalist Tour is designed for those interested in experiencing the fascinating rainforest world of the Mayans and the outer atolls of the great Belizean barrier reef, the second-largest barrier reef system in the world. Join expert local Mayan guides for birding, hiking and learning about native plants and animals and the nearby vast Lamanai Mayan ruins. Then spend time on the reef snorkeling and kayaking. Diving upgrades are available for certified divers.

Whether your chosen tools of observation are binoculars, cameras or scuba and snorkeling gear, you’ll never run out of fascinating adventures into Belize’s natural world. Join us on an exciting adventure to the rainforest, and dive or snorkel the world's second-largest barrier reef at a top-quality Belizean resort!

Sample Itinerary

Day 1, Saturday
Arrive Belize City and transfer to Blackbird Caye Resort or Isla Marisol.
O/N Blackbird Caye Resort or Isla Marisol. D

Days 2-3, Sunday-Monday
Two full days of snorkeling/diving, kayaking and enjoying life on a tropical island.
O/N Blackbird Caye Resort or Isla Marisol. B,L,D

Day 4, Tuesday
For those staying at Blackbird Caye Resort, depart the resort early for the world-famous Blue Hole for snorkeling and diving. Enjoy a stop at Half Moon Caye Natural Monument where you will see the island’s most famous inhabitants, a colony of red-footed boobies. Guests at Isla Marisol will spend the day diving or snorkeling the extensive reef system surrounding the resort.
O/N Blackbird Caye Resort or Isla Marisol. B,L,D

Day 5, Wednesday
Depart for Belize City after breakfast and transfer to Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Your adventure is by van and then camouflaged boat driven by one of Lamanai Outpost’s experienced naturalist guides. Visitors are often treated to up-close views of orchids, white-lined sac-winged bats and numerous herons. After a relaxing afternoon choose from one of the evening tour options.
O/N Lamanai Outpost Lodge. B,L, D

Day 6, Thursday
Choose from one of the eight daily activities including a guided canoe trip, herbal medicine walk or night spotlight safari. Also take a special excursion to observe troops of howler monkeys as they forage high in the jungle canopy.
O/N Lamanai.B,L,D

Day 7, Friday
Take your pick of two activities such as a tour of the Lamanai Maya ruins or an evening jungle walk. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the Crocodile Encounter for an understanding of the endangered Morelet's crocodile.
Overnight at Lamanai. B,L,D

Day 8, Saturday
Breakfast and morning departure from Lamanai to Belize International Airport. B

The above itinerary is intended as an example only. Actual itinerary may vary depending upon weather, contract service providers, and forces beyond our control.

Date Information

Weekly, year round departures

Rate Information

Prices are in USD/person based on double occupancy in standard cabana

Naturalist Blackbird/Lamanai	Dive	Snorkel
High Season: November 5, 2011-May 19, 2012	$2,420	$2,250
Low Season: May 19-October 27, 2012	$2,175	$2,045

Naturalist Isla Marisol/Lamanai	Dive	Snorkel
High Season: Oct. 29, 2011-June 30, 2012	$2,645	$2,345
Low Season: July 2-October 29, 2011	$2,300	$2,100

Tour Details
Price includes: all meals as indicated on itinerary, accomodations, transfers to lodges, and all activities as described in the itinerary.

Price does not include: $40 Blue Hole marine reserve fee, ad-on day trip to Blue Hole is $150 per person based on 6 minimum & hotel taxes (Blackbird only), snorkel or dive equipment rental, airport departure tax, tips, beverages and items of a personal nature. Air from Belize's Phillip Goldman International Airport to Dangriga is not included for Isla Marisol. Cost is $145 per person round trip on Tropic Air. We are happy to make those arrangements for you.

Single supplement is 50% of the regular tour cost.

Holiday surcharge of $150 per person applies at Lamanai for December 17, 2011-January 3, 2012.

*Upgrade to a deluxe cabana at Blackbird Caye Resort only for an additional $300 per person or superior for $100 per preson.

Prices are subject to change.

Lamanai Outpost Lodge

Lamanai Outpost Lodge is one of Belize's premier jungle lodges. The lodge is located on the banks of a 28 mile long spring fed lagoon amid the remnants of a major Maya city.

Unlike many other lodges who all share the same area and attractions, Lamanai Outpost is very much in a world of its own. It is surrounded by an incredible variety of habitats that facilitate unsurpassed nature-based and soft-adventure activities that depart right from your cabaña. Whether you are exploring the Maya ruins or watching nature awaken as the sun rises over Crab-Catcher Lagoon, it is almost guaranteed that it will be just you, your guide and a few friends that you have made at the Outpost.

lamanai_cabana_interior lamanai_cabana_exterior

Blackbird Resort, Turneffe Atoll
As civilization disappears, pristine beaches, coral reefs and warm, clear water appears. Located on Turneffe Atoll, Blackbird is a 166-acre resort with miles of beachfront. All the private, individual cabanas face the Caribbean Sea. The cabanas have private porches with chairs, hammock, an interior seating area, double or queen beds, a private bathroom with hot water shower, and offers daily maid service.
bb_kayakers

Isla Marisol Resort, Glover’s Atoll
Glover’s is the smallest of three coral atolls in Belize. Declared a Heritage Site by United Nations and a National Protected Area by the Government of Belize, Glover's Reef Atoll is located some 35 miles South East of Dangriga Town. It is made up of about five atoll islands, one of them being the family-owned Island of Southwest Caye, home to Isla Marisol Resort. The tropical cabanas are all situated on the white sand overlooking the reef or creek. Charming and rustic, each air-conditioned cabana includes a private bathroom, hot and cold water, porch and hammock area.
cabana1